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Fighting development Lawsuit considered against hospital plan By GRANT MYATT News Editor Neighbors remain up in arms following a unanimous vote in favor of the Children's Memorial Hospital site redevelopment plan on Feb. 20, at the city's Plan Comission. Concerned community members, both Republican and Democrat, met at the 43rd Ward Republicans' office Saturday, Feb. 22 to discuss concerns and the next steps in a meeting led by Republican Committeeman Chris Cleveland. "As Republicans we need to make a decision are we going to get involved?" he said. The main issues with the plan still include traffic and density concerns as well as building heights and zoning issues. However, since the plan is supported by Alderman Michele Smith, it is expected to get pushed through city council without a problem. "Michele has put this on the path. There won't be any changes or intelligent discussion. It's over," Ed Burnes said, an opponent of the project. The two 21-story glass residential buildings are one aspect that many oppose because of their abnormal height and look for the neighborhood. The tall towers are permitted due to zoning at the Children's Memorial site, which allows for denser construction for hospital use. "They shouldn't get the benefits of what the hospital got," Burnes said. Concerned community members are now looking to file a lawsuit as an action against the development plan. "The only thing that will get McCaffery to the table is a lawsuit because there needs to be a zoning change," Burnes said. "It's our only chance to stop this and get the developer to renegotiate." The lawsuit claim would focus on changing the underlying zoning of this site but could cost thousands of dollars, Burnes said. However, some neighbors have stepped forward, showing their support. "On my block I got pledges for about $55,000 from about 15 people in 24 hours." Lincoln Park resident Ben Kadish said. Allan Mellis, a director on the Wrightwood Neighbors Association, a group that mostly supports the plan, expressed concerns over the lawsuit. "Say you have a lawsuit and then they stop the project, then what's going to happen?" Mellis said. I'm afraid the lot will sit empty again and why would another developer want to come in?" See HOSPITAL, page 6 Campus Dems, GOP host debate By KYLE TERRELL Contributing Writer After a five-year hiatus, the DePaul Democratic and Republican Student Clubs reunited Thursday, Feb. 20 for the first debate since 2009, hoping to reignite the spirit of political debate on campus. Few of the 87 people there attended DePaul the last time the two clubs came together for a debate. Gabie Hart, member of the Executive Board for DePaul Democrats, the group that arranged the event, said the debate was a success considering it's their first since 2009. "We are all excited to bring the debate back to DePaul," Hart said. "They're debating on the issues of gun control, the economy and Obamacare." DePaul senior Eddie Lawando said he came to hear what proclaimed political pundits had to say about the issues since he is unsure. "I don't know what I am politically, I guess you could say more Republican," Lawando said. "I'm really excited to see what they said about gun control." Considering Chicago's recent rampant gun violence, cheers from the audience erupted on both sides of the gun control debate, even though the moderator had to remind the audience not to cheer. The Republican panel said President Obama refuses to execute already implemented gun control laws and the solution doesn't lie in taking guns off the street. The solution lies in keeping already convicted criminals off the street. "There will be a permanent black market for guns if you take guns away," the Republicans said. "Guns prevent crime, criminals break the laws. There is nothing more frightening to a criminal or a rapist than an armed victim" The Democrats fired back, saying we need a weapons ban like we had in the '90s. Michael Rance delivered another crowd rouser when he closed the Democrats gun control argument. "We need stricter gun laws," Rance said. "Purchasing a gun is ridiculously easy. I bought a gun at a gun show and it was a joke. And besides, you don't need an AK-47 or and AR-15 Assault rifle with 20-round clips to hunt. Those weapons need to be banned." Sofia Fernandez, a sophomore majoring See DEBATE, page 5 Alderman Michele Smith. The:S. Vicentmura on ab a composed of thousands of 2-inch stampIW portraits of alumni, faculty and students. Mea te an ehnd'W ar D)aI2 andge a eclsie oo a te or

Fighting development Lawsuit considered against hospital plan By GRANT MYATT News Editor Neighbors remain up in arms following a unanimous vote in favor of the Children's Memorial Hospital site redevelopment plan on Feb. 20, at the city's Plan Comission. Concerned community members, both Republican and Democrat, met at the 43rd Ward Republicans' office Saturday, Feb. 22 to discuss concerns and the next steps in a meeting led by Republican Committeeman Chris Cleveland. "As Republicans we need to make a decision are we going to get involved?" he said. The main issues with the plan still include traffic and density concerns as well as building heights and zoning issues. However, since the plan is supported by Alderman Michele Smith, it is expected to get pushed through city council without a problem. "Michele has put this on the path. There won't be any changes or intelligent discussion. It's over," Ed Burnes said, an opponent of the project. The two 21-story glass residential buildings are one aspect that many oppose because of their abnormal height and look for the neighborhood. The tall towers are permitted due to zoning at the Children's Memorial site, which allows for denser construction for hospital use. "They shouldn't get the benefits of what the hospital got," Burnes said. Concerned community members are now looking to file a lawsuit as an action against the development plan. "The only thing that will get McCaffery to the table is a lawsuit because there needs to be a zoning change," Burnes said. "It's our only chance to stop this and get the developer to renegotiate." The lawsuit claim would focus on changing the underlying zoning of this site but could cost thousands of dollars, Burnes said. However, some neighbors have stepped forward, showing their support. "On my block I got pledges for about $55,000 from about 15 people in 24 hours." Lincoln Park resident Ben Kadish said. Allan Mellis, a director on the Wrightwood Neighbors Association, a group that mostly supports the plan, expressed concerns over the lawsuit. "Say you have a lawsuit and then they stop the project, then what's going to happen?" Mellis said. I'm afraid the lot will sit empty again and why would another developer want to come in?" See HOSPITAL, page 6 Campus Dems, GOP host debate By KYLE TERRELL Contributing Writer After a five-year hiatus, the DePaul Democratic and Republican Student Clubs reunited Thursday, Feb. 20 for the first debate since 2009, hoping to reignite the spirit of political debate on campus. Few of the 87 people there attended DePaul the last time the two clubs came together for a debate. Gabie Hart, member of the Executive Board for DePaul Democrats, the group that arranged the event, said the debate was a success considering it's their first since 2009. "We are all excited to bring the debate back to DePaul," Hart said. "They're debating on the issues of gun control, the economy and Obamacare." DePaul senior Eddie Lawando said he came to hear what proclaimed political pundits had to say about the issues since he is unsure. "I don't know what I am politically, I guess you could say more Republican," Lawando said. "I'm really excited to see what they said about gun control." Considering Chicago's recent rampant gun violence, cheers from the audience erupted on both sides of the gun control debate, even though the moderator had to remind the audience not to cheer. The Republican panel said President Obama refuses to execute already implemented gun control laws and the solution doesn't lie in taking guns off the street. The solution lies in keeping already convicted criminals off the street. "There will be a permanent black market for guns if you take guns away," the Republicans said. "Guns prevent crime, criminals break the laws. There is nothing more frightening to a criminal or a rapist than an armed victim" The Democrats fired back, saying we need a weapons ban like we had in the '90s. Michael Rance delivered another crowd rouser when he closed the Democrats gun control argument. "We need stricter gun laws," Rance said. "Purchasing a gun is ridiculously easy. I bought a gun at a gun show and it was a joke. And besides, you don't need an AK-47 or and AR-15 Assault rifle with 20-round clips to hunt. Those weapons need to be banned." Sofia Fernandez, a sophomore majoring See DEBATE, page 5 Alderman Michele Smith. The:S. Vicentmura on ab a composed of thousands of 2-inch stampIW portraits of alumni, faculty and students. Mea te an ehnd'W ar D)aI2 andge a eclsie oo a te or